Sunday, June 5, 2016

Trolley ridership up, advertising added

According to trolley owner and driver Andre Underhill, ridership on the trolley has begun to pick up over the last few days. Columbia Spy also noted an advertising banner on the back of the car, as well as a recent visitor to the trolley.

I'm reminded of Orwell's "1984". Namely how chocolate rations were reported as being increased. This BUS (it's not a trolley by definition) has only been running a little more than a week. What's their base line for ridership? Too early to deem it a success. Give it a few weeks.

But the main gripe I have (as should every other taxpayer) is that this bus service was never PUT OUT TO BID. The best this town is hoping for is to lose $30,000 on this service. Maybe if other operators were allowed to bid, those loses could have been reduced. The boro OWES it to their taxpayers to do that.

FMB is correct. It should have been put out for bids since taxpayer money is funding this. Unfortunately for the taxpayers this was already decided for them. The borough needs 300 paying customers per operating day in order to break even. Based on seated capacity, that will not be possible. Advertising revenue will help defray costs.

I agree with Bob. I also noticed more riders. At times, I believe some people want new ideas to fail,just to give them something to gripe about. Hope for success to the trolley and more visitors to downtown Columbia.

Did FMB complain to the Red Rose Transit when they bought a "trolley" and used it for special events,such as weddings.On First night Lancaster, in Lancaster's promotions, you could the ride the trolley between venues. No one worried if it was a bus or trolley.

Apples and oranges. RRTA was using it for charters, and not regular route service like this thing is doing. I would not be surprised if RRTA ends up filing a complaint with the PUC over this. That's kind of their territory, and if nothing else, should have had the opportunity to bid on it. I understand PUC licenses differ from regular route service and charter service - but I do not know enough to speculate any more than that.

I just don't like using an incorrect term to describe a bus. May as well call it a jetliner.

--FMB(I could have bought a "trolley" and bid the service, too. But I wasn't allowed)

FMB, I never look away, I do look for the good though.Perhaps one day you will wake up smelling roses.Perhaps one day you will shed your mask.I don't draw back in fear of your negative comments.Your like the mayflies.

Correct. As usual, this Boro Council has NO idea HOW to do things. Yes, it should have been bid out. There are more than 1 trolley in Lancaster COunty. Shame on yous. You all should truly know better. I agree. While I think it's neat and i REALLY hope it succeeds, it is expensive. Without the sewer plant to pay for all this stuff, there's NO way the Boro can afford it. Question. HOW MUCH IS LEFT OF THE $8.5 MILLION FOR THE SALE OF THE SEWER PLANT???? MY GUESS IS NONE OR VERY CLOSE TO IT!!!!! Pay attention people.